Today, I was looking for cooking inspiration on one of my all-time favorite blogs, Gluten-Free Girl and The Chef. I went back and read Shauna's entry about when she and her family did the United Way Hunger Action Week in January. I wrote about it then, and I'm bringing it up again, because there are good lessons to be learned here. Good lessons that I still need to learn, probably.
I may have mentioned that I ran out of food stamps two weeks before they were set to be renewed. So, for the past week and half, I have been doing two things I hate to do: Buying non-organic fruits and vegetables, and using my "for fun" money to do it.
Clearly, I am still working on this eating for $200 a month thing. I make excuses that it's because I am on a special diet, and need to buy gluten-free foods, but if Shauna and her family can do it, then so can I.
My food stamps get reloaded on Thursday, and I'm going to start taking a calculator to the grocery store. I am allowed to spend no more than $50 a week. I'm going to start planning my meals in advance so I don't go to the store, hungry, at 5:30pm.
My wonderful Grandma sent me an Amazon gift card for my birthday, so I am stocked up on Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bread Mix, and an exciting assortment of gluten-free flours. I am taking a baking class tonight at my awesome local Community Food Co-Op. So, even though I made the awesome discovery of gluten free bagels this week, I probably won't be buying any. The Bellingham Farmer's Market (recently voted Best in the Northwest!) is open, so I will be getting awesome local spring veggies every Saturday. I planted lettuce seeds and they are starting to sprout - although it will be a while still before I can harvest salad greens right from my porch. This summer I will be helping out at our school garden, which hopefully means fresh produce for me!
I can do this. I don't need frozen pizzas or meat more than once a week. I can make hummus and salsa. I can find recipes and plan meals in advance. I can eat healthy and enjoyable meals on a budget. It's all about the beauty of simplicity, right?
Showing posts with label my budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label my budget. Show all posts
Monday, May 3, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
$7 a day - Take that, Rachel Ray!
The past few weeks, I've been missing things. Missing the time to write. Missing news stories, missing important dates, missing the news that last week was The United Way of King County's Hunger Action Week. Granted, I don't live in King County any more, but it's still one of those things I feel I should have known about.
The idea is, try to feed yourself for only $7 a day - also known as the maximum food stamp benefit available in Washington State. Also known as what I have done every day since September.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the idea. I think it's great. I think everyone should be aware of how difficult it is to eat good, healthy food on food assistance. What I really appreciate is that bloggers like The Gluten-Free Girl - who is, as her name implies, gluten free - are participating and blogging about the experience. It's much more difficult to live off of $7 a day when you can't buy a 99cent loaf of bread.
I am completely inspired by The Gluten-Free Girl's entry about her experience this past week, and I am making my own plans. Plans that include baking my own bread, roasting a chicken, and using my awesome new crock pot. Plans that include a real, honest-to-goodness budget for my food.
Because, you see, for the first time since September, I used up all my food stamp benefits before the month was over.
To be fair, I bought five different kinds of gluten-free flours to make a bread that I took a class to learn how to make. And Xanthan Gum, which is pretty much the most expensive white powder that you can buy legally. Now that I made the initial investment, I can make my own gluten-free sourdough bread, and make sandwiches and eat toast... very exciting.
However, this month I also did things like buy lunch at the Co-Op deli counter several times, as well as buy frozen meals to take to school. When you are living off of $7 a day for food, a $5 sandwich is not a good idea.
Planning meals is a big step in the right direction for food budgeting, and buying in bulk is another good way to stretch your food dollars. That's why I was excited to hear that Costco is now accepting food stamps (I am lucky enough to have a membership, I'm tacked on as a "domestic partner" to a family member). While I was searching the internet to confirm the rumor, I stumbled across this article/blog entry, by Aaron Crow, a "freelance journalist," with a lot of opinions. To give you a general idea of this particular opinion, it's titled "Costco accepting food stamps: not exactly a great idea." Some choice quotes:
I have to say, even after reading this article several times, I'm still struck speechless by the ridiculousness of that last statement. And of the article as a whole. Basically, Aaron believes that Food Stamp recipients are simply too dumb, or at least lack the self-control, to spend their benefits wisely. Since he himself can't go into Costco without buying a 25 gallon jar of olives, it obviously means that poor people won't be able to do so, either.
I could go on for pages, dissecting this mans logic, but I don't need to. Because he is wrong. I know this because I am on food stamps, and I plan on using them to purchase Quinoa, frozen vegetables, and possibly coffee. I will not buy "four pounds of red king crab for $99.99," because I am not an idiot.
Unfortunately, this attitude towards Food Stamp users is quite prevalent. There is a strange assumption amongst the general population that people who use food stamps are lazy, fat, and stupid. The New York Times had an interesting "debate" about this in December. - I use quotations because everyone seems to agree. The second paragraph of the introduction sums it up nicely:
If people buy fresh vegetables or other relatively expensive though nutritious foods, they are considered to be living high on the hog at the taxpayers’ expense. But if they buy cheap foods like hot dogs they are criticized for poor health habits.
Imagine you are feeding a family of four - you jumped through all the hoops to get food stamps, you now have $22 a day to spend to feed your family. You also work two jobs, can't read English at all, get around on the bus or by walking, and are unfamiliar with most of the food you see in the grocery store. How do you feed your family? You find the cheapest, most filling foods you can find, that take the least amount of time to prepare, or that your kids can prepare on their own while you are at work. So: hot dogs, canned soup, microwavable meals if your third grader can read the directions.
We need to teach people how to get the best nutrition for their dollars. We need to teach people how to cook with the food available to them - whether you came from Mexico, Thailand, or India, the food on the grocery store shelves is not going to look friendly to you. We need people to understand that sugary breakfast cereals and soda are not foods that will help them get through their day, no matter what they see in the advertisements.
The PTA at my school is starting a schoolyard garden, something I think all schools need, especially low-income schools. Students and their parents being involved and educated about gardening is how we start a food revolution - and that's what we all need, whether we are on public assistance or not.
**Edited to add:
I just found this article about the United Way Challenge at the Seattle Times website. I almost feel like the people who are "taking the challenge" aren't taking it seriously. They are worried about entertaining? First of all - it's totally possible. My best friend came over for breakfast this morning. Also, why do you think potlucks were invented? Second of all - when you are living off of an income that qualifies you for food stamps, you're probably not worried about hosting the neighborhood cocktail party.
The idea is, try to feed yourself for only $7 a day - also known as the maximum food stamp benefit available in Washington State. Also known as what I have done every day since September.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the idea. I think it's great. I think everyone should be aware of how difficult it is to eat good, healthy food on food assistance. What I really appreciate is that bloggers like The Gluten-Free Girl - who is, as her name implies, gluten free - are participating and blogging about the experience. It's much more difficult to live off of $7 a day when you can't buy a 99cent loaf of bread.
I am completely inspired by The Gluten-Free Girl's entry about her experience this past week, and I am making my own plans. Plans that include baking my own bread, roasting a chicken, and using my awesome new crock pot. Plans that include a real, honest-to-goodness budget for my food.
Because, you see, for the first time since September, I used up all my food stamp benefits before the month was over.
To be fair, I bought five different kinds of gluten-free flours to make a bread that I took a class to learn how to make. And Xanthan Gum, which is pretty much the most expensive white powder that you can buy legally. Now that I made the initial investment, I can make my own gluten-free sourdough bread, and make sandwiches and eat toast... very exciting.
However, this month I also did things like buy lunch at the Co-Op deli counter several times, as well as buy frozen meals to take to school. When you are living off of $7 a day for food, a $5 sandwich is not a good idea.
Planning meals is a big step in the right direction for food budgeting, and buying in bulk is another good way to stretch your food dollars. That's why I was excited to hear that Costco is now accepting food stamps (I am lucky enough to have a membership, I'm tacked on as a "domestic partner" to a family member). While I was searching the internet to confirm the rumor, I stumbled across this article/blog entry, by Aaron Crow, a "freelance journalist," with a lot of opinions. To give you a general idea of this particular opinion, it's titled "Costco accepting food stamps: not exactly a great idea." Some choice quotes:
"There are no 15 items or less lines at Costco to speed things up because no one buys less than 15 items at a time. I've been a Costco member for about six years, and I don't think I've ever walked out of there without dropping at least $100."
"I don't know how someone on food stamps who is shopping there maybe once a month can justify paying $50 for the privilege of shopping there for a year, but the enticing free food samples might make a meal in themselves during a visit and make the membership fee seem cheap."
And the kicker: (Note: SNAP is the Federal name for Food Benefits)
"I'm all for increasing the purchasing power of shoppers, but SNAP users may have to be protected from themselves. The federal program prevents some items such as liquor and cigarettes from being bought with SNAP benefits. Maybe it should add Costco to the list of banned purchases."
I have to say, even after reading this article several times, I'm still struck speechless by the ridiculousness of that last statement. And of the article as a whole. Basically, Aaron believes that Food Stamp recipients are simply too dumb, or at least lack the self-control, to spend their benefits wisely. Since he himself can't go into Costco without buying a 25 gallon jar of olives, it obviously means that poor people won't be able to do so, either.
I could go on for pages, dissecting this mans logic, but I don't need to. Because he is wrong. I know this because I am on food stamps, and I plan on using them to purchase Quinoa, frozen vegetables, and possibly coffee. I will not buy "four pounds of red king crab for $99.99," because I am not an idiot.
Unfortunately, this attitude towards Food Stamp users is quite prevalent. There is a strange assumption amongst the general population that people who use food stamps are lazy, fat, and stupid. The New York Times had an interesting "debate" about this in December. - I use quotations because everyone seems to agree. The second paragraph of the introduction sums it up nicely:
If people buy fresh vegetables or other relatively expensive though nutritious foods, they are considered to be living high on the hog at the taxpayers’ expense. But if they buy cheap foods like hot dogs they are criticized for poor health habits.
Imagine you are feeding a family of four - you jumped through all the hoops to get food stamps, you now have $22 a day to spend to feed your family. You also work two jobs, can't read English at all, get around on the bus or by walking, and are unfamiliar with most of the food you see in the grocery store. How do you feed your family? You find the cheapest, most filling foods you can find, that take the least amount of time to prepare, or that your kids can prepare on their own while you are at work. So: hot dogs, canned soup, microwavable meals if your third grader can read the directions.
We need to teach people how to get the best nutrition for their dollars. We need to teach people how to cook with the food available to them - whether you came from Mexico, Thailand, or India, the food on the grocery store shelves is not going to look friendly to you. We need people to understand that sugary breakfast cereals and soda are not foods that will help them get through their day, no matter what they see in the advertisements.
The PTA at my school is starting a schoolyard garden, something I think all schools need, especially low-income schools. Students and their parents being involved and educated about gardening is how we start a food revolution - and that's what we all need, whether we are on public assistance or not.
**Edited to add:
I just found this article about the United Way Challenge at the Seattle Times website. I almost feel like the people who are "taking the challenge" aren't taking it seriously. They are worried about entertaining? First of all - it's totally possible. My best friend came over for breakfast this morning. Also, why do you think potlucks were invented? Second of all - when you are living off of an income that qualifies you for food stamps, you're probably not worried about hosting the neighborhood cocktail party.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Auto-addiction
Today's lesson in frugality is: Stick up for yourself.
This applies to every aspect of your life, but specifically to car repair.
The majority of Americans can't repair their own cars. When I drove Volkswagens from the 80s, me, my friends, or my dad could pretty much fix anything that was wrong with them. Unfortunately, with newer cars the most I can do is change the oil and the filters.
So, when my Ford Focus wouldn't start on Friday night, I had it towed to the local Ford dealership - Diehl Ford in Bellingham, WA.
To make a long, frustrating story short, the dealership quoted me a price for the car I couldn't afford on my AmeriCorps budget. When a tow truck (sent by my insurance company) came to take the car to another repair shop, Deihl wouldn't release the car to the tow truck driver because they said I owed $120 for "diagnostics." After several back and forth phone calls, John in the service department yelled at me, refused to let me speak to his manager, and actually called me a liar.
After work, I showed up at the dealership and met with the General Manager, Mike Diehl. He was very polite, and definitely upset that his employee treated me in the manner he did. He apoligized and offered to do the repairs for $100 less than what they originally quoted me. This is still more than the second shop, and I refused. Mike went back to get my keys from them, and the the service people had a brief pow-wow with him and agreed to do the repairs for the price the second shop quoted me. I made sure to get it in writing from Mike Diehl.
I picked my car up today and paid the price that I was promised. I am happy that my car is fixed, but still amazed that someone in customer service would speak to an employee like that.
The lesson? Don't back down, and stick up for yourself. If I had given in, I would have paid them $120 for doing nothing. I will never do business with them again, given the way their service department treated me. I have worked many retail and customer service jobs, and I can't fathom what would make a person in a service job feel that they can talk to a customer that way. He actually called me a liar! I am still in shock.
So, when getting repairs done on a car (or anything) - here are my "frugal" rules:1) Shop around. Find the best price. Tell the repairmen/women what the best price you found was.
2) Stick up for yourself.
3) Do your research. Google is your friend - find out how much the parts needed are, figure out what the repair should cost.
4) Stick up for yourself. (Have I mentioned that already?)
5) Get all promises in writing. Otherwise there is no way to prove what they said to you.
6) If you aren't getting what you need, there is always someone higher up you can talk to.
7) It's okay to cry. I did. But then take a breath, channel that emotion into rightous anger and, yes: stick up for yourself.
I apologize for this entry being about such a frustrating personal experience, but I feel like it is a good lesson for all of us who drive. I personally am rethinking my whole reliance on my car after this. It only rains 80% of the year here, who needs a car?
This applies to every aspect of your life, but specifically to car repair.
The majority of Americans can't repair their own cars. When I drove Volkswagens from the 80s, me, my friends, or my dad could pretty much fix anything that was wrong with them. Unfortunately, with newer cars the most I can do is change the oil and the filters.
So, when my Ford Focus wouldn't start on Friday night, I had it towed to the local Ford dealership - Diehl Ford in Bellingham, WA.
To make a long, frustrating story short, the dealership quoted me a price for the car I couldn't afford on my AmeriCorps budget. When a tow truck (sent by my insurance company) came to take the car to another repair shop, Deihl wouldn't release the car to the tow truck driver because they said I owed $120 for "diagnostics." After several back and forth phone calls, John in the service department yelled at me, refused to let me speak to his manager, and actually called me a liar.
After work, I showed up at the dealership and met with the General Manager, Mike Diehl. He was very polite, and definitely upset that his employee treated me in the manner he did. He apoligized and offered to do the repairs for $100 less than what they originally quoted me. This is still more than the second shop, and I refused. Mike went back to get my keys from them, and the the service people had a brief pow-wow with him and agreed to do the repairs for the price the second shop quoted me. I made sure to get it in writing from Mike Diehl.
I picked my car up today and paid the price that I was promised. I am happy that my car is fixed, but still amazed that someone in customer service would speak to an employee like that.
The lesson? Don't back down, and stick up for yourself. If I had given in, I would have paid them $120 for doing nothing. I will never do business with them again, given the way their service department treated me. I have worked many retail and customer service jobs, and I can't fathom what would make a person in a service job feel that they can talk to a customer that way. He actually called me a liar! I am still in shock.
So, when getting repairs done on a car (or anything) - here are my "frugal" rules:1) Shop around. Find the best price. Tell the repairmen/women what the best price you found was.
2) Stick up for yourself.
3) Do your research. Google is your friend - find out how much the parts needed are, figure out what the repair should cost.
4) Stick up for yourself. (Have I mentioned that already?)
5) Get all promises in writing. Otherwise there is no way to prove what they said to you.
6) If you aren't getting what you need, there is always someone higher up you can talk to.
7) It's okay to cry. I did. But then take a breath, channel that emotion into rightous anger and, yes: stick up for yourself.
I apologize for this entry being about such a frustrating personal experience, but I feel like it is a good lesson for all of us who drive. I personally am rethinking my whole reliance on my car after this. It only rains 80% of the year here, who needs a car?
Friday, September 25, 2009
Getting Something for Nothing
Living on a stipend, I have to watch every penny. I don't often have extra pennies to spend on things like music, movies, and new clothes. However, I have found several good resources for free stuff. And who doesn't like free?
1) Craigslist free section - This stuff usually goes really fast, especially in my college town. However, I have found some great stuff like a vintage bedframe. If you are unfamiliar with Craigslist, perhaps because you have been living in a cave somewhere, it's a free classified ads website with specific pages for almost every major metropolitan area in the world. Go to Craigslist.org and select your location, then click on "free," and go wild.
2) Freecycle™- Freecycle™ is a "nonprofit group of people," with over 6 million members from around the world. The idea is to give and take free stuff, kind of like a big swap. I have given a bread machine (I'm not even sure why I had that - I don't eat bread!) and clothes and taken things like tomato cages and bookshelves. If you have something you don't use (like a bread machine) laying around the house, post it on Freecycle™ and if anyone is in need of one, they will contact you. If you are in need of something (like tomato cages), post that, and if someone has the thing you are looking for, they will contact you. It takes some work, but it is worth it.
3) iTunes - I have a gadget on my Google homepage that lists all of the new free downloads form iTunes. I have gotten some great music, and there are also often tv shows or videos. There is also always a list of free donwloads on the iTunes store front page. There are also a lot of free podcasts out there - my favorite is This American Life.
4) Volunteer - I would never volunteer for something with the expectation to get something out of it other than personal satisfaction and AmeriCorps service hours, but the honest truth is you can often walk away from volunteering with something that has monetary value. Volunteering at the food bank often ends in some free produce - especially stuff that will go bad soon. When I volunteered with Rock the Bulb last week, I got ten free CFL bulbs. If you volunteer to usher at a theater, you will get to see most of the show for free.
5) Check out your local scene - My town has a free monthly art walk, this summer there was a free concert series, and there are free tai chi classes in one of the parks. Most bars have open mic nights or other shows with no cover. The local bookstore has authors in the store or other free events nearly every night. We have an annual Human Rights Film Festival to which admission is always free. There is usually something free going on in my town, and it's not big. Two cities I have lived in have First Thursdays - admission to all participating museums is free on the first Thursday of each month. Basically you just have to stay informed - most of these free events don't have big publicity budgets. Check out your city webpage, do a Google search for "free (your town)." There's a lot to do, and you might discover some pretty cool things about the place you live.
6) The internet - There are a lot of scams, a lot of "sign up for a loan and we'll give you a free gift card," but there is some legitimate free stuff out there. You can watch movies and TV shows for free on Hulu. There are a lot of websites with lists of stuff you can get for "free." Be careful with these! Often they are looking for a way to get your information and get you to sign up for things. I have, however, found some great stuff on these sites, such as the iTunes code to download the Austin City Limits Sampler CD for free. Just be smart, and remember what mom always told you: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
7) Ask - I know, duh, right? But what happens to that banana at the grocery store that is a little too brown? What about the grapes that fell out of those fancy bags? Ask the produce manager, and often you can get those things for free. Those grapes make great raisins, if you have a dehydrator. We need books for our program at school, and will be asking local thrift stores and used book stores to keep us in mind - some thrift stores will give you first dibs, especially if you are representing a non-profit organization and not just yourself (although it never hurts to ask for yourself as well).
Happy Free-Stuff Finding!
1) Craigslist free section - This stuff usually goes really fast, especially in my college town. However, I have found some great stuff like a vintage bedframe. If you are unfamiliar with Craigslist, perhaps because you have been living in a cave somewhere, it's a free classified ads website with specific pages for almost every major metropolitan area in the world. Go to Craigslist.org and select your location, then click on "free," and go wild.
2) Freecycle™- Freecycle™ is a "nonprofit group of people," with over 6 million members from around the world. The idea is to give and take free stuff, kind of like a big swap. I have given a bread machine (I'm not even sure why I had that - I don't eat bread!) and clothes and taken things like tomato cages and bookshelves. If you have something you don't use (like a bread machine) laying around the house, post it on Freecycle™ and if anyone is in need of one, they will contact you. If you are in need of something (like tomato cages), post that, and if someone has the thing you are looking for, they will contact you. It takes some work, but it is worth it.
3) iTunes - I have a gadget on my Google homepage that lists all of the new free downloads form iTunes. I have gotten some great music, and there are also often tv shows or videos. There is also always a list of free donwloads on the iTunes store front page. There are also a lot of free podcasts out there - my favorite is This American Life.
4) Volunteer - I would never volunteer for something with the expectation to get something out of it other than personal satisfaction and AmeriCorps service hours, but the honest truth is you can often walk away from volunteering with something that has monetary value. Volunteering at the food bank often ends in some free produce - especially stuff that will go bad soon. When I volunteered with Rock the Bulb last week, I got ten free CFL bulbs. If you volunteer to usher at a theater, you will get to see most of the show for free.
5) Check out your local scene - My town has a free monthly art walk, this summer there was a free concert series, and there are free tai chi classes in one of the parks. Most bars have open mic nights or other shows with no cover. The local bookstore has authors in the store or other free events nearly every night. We have an annual Human Rights Film Festival to which admission is always free. There is usually something free going on in my town, and it's not big. Two cities I have lived in have First Thursdays - admission to all participating museums is free on the first Thursday of each month. Basically you just have to stay informed - most of these free events don't have big publicity budgets. Check out your city webpage, do a Google search for "free (your town)." There's a lot to do, and you might discover some pretty cool things about the place you live.
6) The internet - There are a lot of scams, a lot of "sign up for a loan and we'll give you a free gift card," but there is some legitimate free stuff out there. You can watch movies and TV shows for free on Hulu. There are a lot of websites with lists of stuff you can get for "free." Be careful with these! Often they are looking for a way to get your information and get you to sign up for things. I have, however, found some great stuff on these sites, such as the iTunes code to download the Austin City Limits Sampler CD for free. Just be smart, and remember what mom always told you: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
7) Ask - I know, duh, right? But what happens to that banana at the grocery store that is a little too brown? What about the grapes that fell out of those fancy bags? Ask the produce manager, and often you can get those things for free. Those grapes make great raisins, if you have a dehydrator. We need books for our program at school, and will be asking local thrift stores and used book stores to keep us in mind - some thrift stores will give you first dibs, especially if you are representing a non-profit organization and not just yourself (although it never hurts to ask for yourself as well).
Happy Free-Stuff Finding!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Food Stamps
Yesterday, another AmeriCorps member and I went to the Department of Social and Health Services to get our Food Assistance. I applied online on Monday, providing information such as my income, rent amount, average energy bill, and so on.
On Thursday I got a letter saying that my application had been received and reviewed, and I was to come in for an interview with documentation that what I had put on my application was true. I brought in a copy of my lease, my photo ID, Social Security Card, car registration, electric bill, and a bank statement.
We arrived at DSHS at 7:45am and checked in with the automated system.
At 9:00 I was called for my interview.
The interviewer briefly went over my application. I showed her the letter from my AmeriCorps supervisor stating that I am and AmeriCorps state member covered under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, and that my monthly living stipend is excluded as income for all DSHS assistance programs. Because my income, as far as DSHS is concerned, is $0 a month, I qualify to receive the maximum amount of food assistance - $200 a month.
Then, after I got to sit an wait for a while longer, I finally got my Electronic Benefits Card.
By 9:30, the other member I was with had not been called for her interview yet. She and I checked in at the same time, and just when she was about to ask what was going on, she got called back. At 10am. Two hours after we checked in... wow.
Funding for DSHS has been cut recently, even while the amount of food assistance offered to people has gone up (three years ago, the maximum benefits were $150 a month). DSHS has had to cut back on their hours and staffing, even though the number of people they are serving has increased. Since June of 2008, the number of Americans receiving food stamps has increased by 22%. (Source)
Recently, National Public Radio did a short piece on this trend. They interviewed Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), who, in 2007, took part in the Congressional Food Stamp Challenge. He lived on a food stamp budget for one month. You can read or listen to the interview here.
I have a challenge to all of our Government Representatives - live off a food stamp budget not for one month, but for a full year.
Even with the increase in benefits, I will be able to spend a little more than $6 a day on food. That's not much. I want to see the people in control of the governments spending do the same thing, and then, with a straight face, tell the people of America that we are spending too much money on welfare programs such as food stamps.
Do you think you could live off of $6 a day for food?
On Thursday I got a letter saying that my application had been received and reviewed, and I was to come in for an interview with documentation that what I had put on my application was true. I brought in a copy of my lease, my photo ID, Social Security Card, car registration, electric bill, and a bank statement.
We arrived at DSHS at 7:45am and checked in with the automated system.
At 9:00 I was called for my interview.
The interviewer briefly went over my application. I showed her the letter from my AmeriCorps supervisor stating that I am and AmeriCorps state member covered under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, and that my monthly living stipend is excluded as income for all DSHS assistance programs. Because my income, as far as DSHS is concerned, is $0 a month, I qualify to receive the maximum amount of food assistance - $200 a month.
Then, after I got to sit an wait for a while longer, I finally got my Electronic Benefits Card.
By 9:30, the other member I was with had not been called for her interview yet. She and I checked in at the same time, and just when she was about to ask what was going on, she got called back. At 10am. Two hours after we checked in... wow.
Funding for DSHS has been cut recently, even while the amount of food assistance offered to people has gone up (three years ago, the maximum benefits were $150 a month). DSHS has had to cut back on their hours and staffing, even though the number of people they are serving has increased. Since June of 2008, the number of Americans receiving food stamps has increased by 22%. (Source)
Recently, National Public Radio did a short piece on this trend. They interviewed Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), who, in 2007, took part in the Congressional Food Stamp Challenge. He lived on a food stamp budget for one month. You can read or listen to the interview here.
I have a challenge to all of our Government Representatives - live off a food stamp budget not for one month, but for a full year.
Even with the increase in benefits, I will be able to spend a little more than $6 a day on food. That's not much. I want to see the people in control of the governments spending do the same thing, and then, with a straight face, tell the people of America that we are spending too much money on welfare programs such as food stamps.
Do you think you could live off of $6 a day for food?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Welcome!
So it begins.
In four days I start my second year of service with AmeriCorps. I am looking forward to it, but it will be a challenge. One of the most challenging parts will be living off of my AmeriCorps stipend - $1050 a month.
I will be writing about my experience as a member of the Washington Reading Corps, what I learn about the education system and myself as an educator, as well as how I survive off of $1050 a month.
Making $12,600 annually will put me slightly above the federal poverty line, which is $10,830 per year, but not by much. That extra $148 a month will mostly be going to my car payment, which is something I'm not willing to give up at this time (well, getting rid of the payment would be great, but I'm keeping the car), and which is an expense I doubt many people living below the poverty line have. Luckily in my new position it looks like I will be able to bus to work every day, but living in my town without a car could be very difficult. Who knows, maybe I'll try it eventually.
Luckily, the AmeriCorps stipend does not count as income to qualify for food stamps from DSHS. I will be getting $200 a month in food benefits, which I can use for anything but hot food and alcohol.
Also, I am cheating just a little bit - my parents pay my car insurance and my cell phone. Without them, I would not be able to afford my awesome apartment (which will be difficult anyway, but I will manage!)
So, my basic budget looks like this:
Income: $1050
Rent: $575
Car Payment: $132
Money Left for expenses: $343/month
It's going to be interesting! Thanks for your support.
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